The second grade turkey trot was all about exercising the brain at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School. Wearing their paper turkey hats, students in Christine Shahin’s room went around the room solving math problems on Nov. 20.

The young mathematicians are learning to add double-digit numbers using the break apart strategy, in which they split numbers into tens and ones. They traveled the room in small groups with clipboards and number charts to work out several equations and have conversations about their solving strategies.

First graders also did seasonal math projects. They have been working on double facts – adding the same number twice – and wrote doubles equations and solutions on the feathers of paper turkeys.

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Date Added: 11/22/2023

Footballs soared through the air behind Saw Mill Road Elementary School on Nov. 8 as the North Bellmore School District held the championship round of its annual Punt, Pass, Kick competition. Grade-level winners from the five elementary schools gathered at the turf field to complete for the districtwide title.

Following a football skills unit, students in grades 3-6 took part in the preliminary rounds during their physical education classes. The top boy and girl from each grade level from the five schools were invited to the finals.

Long tape measures lined the field to determine the distance the ball traveled in each event. First, students tested their throwing abilities in the pass competition. Next was the punt, in which they dropped and kicked the ball. Finally, they kicked off of a tee. Each competitor was allowed to redo one event to try for a better score.

Park Avenue Elementary School Principal Michael DeBlasio, who oversees the district’s physical education department, noted that the sunny but chilly day was “perfect football weather.” He said it was a great opportunity for students to compete in a fun and friendly environment while also getting to meet their peers from other schools.

Running the events were physical education teacher James Breslin, Tim Byrne, Bill Green, Jim Mulvey, Alyssa Parker and Michael Weiner. When all of the events were complete, they tallied up the scores and announced the winners.

The districtwide champions are:

Third grade girl: Nina Hendershot, Saw Mill Road Elementary School
Third grade boy:Egan Malloy, Saw Mill Road Elementary School
Fourth grade girl: Xcenia Benden, Park AvenueElementary School
Fourth grade boy: Brody Hislop, John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School
Fifth grade girl: Lea Pagnotta, Saw Mill Road Elementary School
Fifth grade boy:Chase Almona, Martin Avenue Elementary School
Sixth grade girl:Hailey Smith, John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School
Sixth grade boy:Caleb Shogan, John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School

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Date Added: 11/20/2023

At an early age, students learn how to be leaders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School.

Teacher Kelly Navin explained that her first graders have recently been studying leadership as part of the social studies curriculum, which focuses on community building. Students learned the traits that leaders possess and discussed ways they can be leaders at home, at school and in their community, then drew pictures.

On their iPads, students looked at Boom Cards, which are digital task cards about leadership. Each card illustrated a social situation and the young citizens determined if the person depicted was showing leadership by giving it a thumbs up or a thumbs down.

“We’re working in first grade on building community and culture of kindness,” Ms. Navin said. “The goal is to build maturity and help students with friendship and conflict resolution.”

Ms. Navin said that a focus on leadership will help students navigate situations not just in the classroom, but in all facets of school life such as in the cafeteria and on the playground.

Date Added: 11/14/2023

The North Bellmore School District will be conducting its annual central registration process for incoming kindergarten students for the 2024-25 school year. Eligible students must be 5 years old on or before Dec. 1, 2024 in order to register for kindergarten.

Registration for the upcoming school year will commence on Nov. 13, 2023, and will run through Feb. 2, 2024. Registration is by appointment only at the North Bellmore’s District Office located at 2616 Martin Ave. in Bellmore (west side of the Martin Avenue School). Parents and guardians may access the district’s registration packet online under the Central Registration Department. Please complete the registration packet and attach all required documentation prior to your registration appointment.

No child will be fully registered for kindergarten until all the required forms have been completed, received and verified by the district. To schedule an appointment or for questions relating to registration you may contact the District Registrar at 516-992-3000, ext. 3821.

Date Added: 10/31/2023

Tech-savvy fifth graders at John G. Dinkelmeyer Elementary School shared their knowledge with kindergartners about a digital learning tool they will use frequently over the next seven years.

Youngsters in Jennifer McGovern and Dave Lopez’s class recently received their first iPads, which are filled with educational apps. Ms. McGovern and Mr. Lopez explained that it is a school tool, so they will be using it different than they would an iPad at home. Kindergartners then got a personalized overview of the iPads with their fifth grade buddies.

During the tutorials, fifth graders showed their kindergarten peers how to log on to the iPads using a QR code, how to access the different apps through Clever, and how to care for the devices. Fifth graders then watched as kindergartners navigated the iPads themselves, which providing support along the way.

“It’s an opportunity for the fifth graders to be leaders and role models,” Ms. McGovern said, “and the kindergartners get one-on-one instruction.”

In kindergarten, students will primarily use the iPads to access iReady, an enrichment tool for literacy and math, and RazKids, where they can access digital books customized to their reading levels. Fifth grader also showed kindergartners the whiteboard app, a fun tool for free drawing.

Date Added: 10/18/2023